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Ridge Augmentation

Just below your gums are two ridges of tissue that give your upper and lower teeth support. These are called the alveolar ridges, and they help define your smile by determining the curves and proportions of your mouth. If these have begun to recede after an extraction or loss of teeth, your dentist may recommend a ridge augmentation. This treatment requires your dentist to reconstruct the alveolar ridges using a method that is similar to a bone graft.

This procedure will not just improve how your dentures fit, but can also give you the following benefits:

Secure fit for dental restoration products like dentures

Create stronger jawbones for dental implants

Improve your smile and facial appearance

May help prevent additional jawbone and tooth loss

Who Needs This Procedure?

If you have experienced jawbone loss because of previous extractions or tooth loss, your dentist might recommend this procedure before allowing you to get dentures or implants. Without a strong jawbone to support new dental restorations, the results can be ill-fitting and uncomfortable. Your dentist will make sure that you do not have any health conditions that might compromise the success of the procedure like diabetes or an autoimmune disease. It’s important to let your dentist or oral surgeon know your medical history prior to having surgery.

How is Ridge Augmentation Performed?

Ridge augmentation is performed on a patient that is numb while the oral surgeon places a bone graft around the tooth socket and then secures it in place. This procedure can be done right after a tooth has been removed which can sometimes help to avoid a second procedure. If a patient has a serious infection at the time of the extraction, the procedure might be delayed until healed. It is important that the bone graft will be a success once inserted. Usually, a dental implant can be put into place once the socket has healed and the bone is mature enough to proceed.

Ridge Augmentation Recovery Time

Full recovery can occur around 6 months to a year. The added bone tissue fuses with the alveolar ridge permanently, creating strong jawbone support for dental implants or dentures.

Immediately following the procedure, patients are expected to rest and not over exert themselves. Bruising and inflammation will cause mild to moderate discomfort for a few weeks following the procedure.

Try to avoid dislodging the blood clot in the socket by not spitting or even using straws or smoking for the first 24 to 48 hours after

Eat a soft diet for at least the first four or five days

Don’t eat anything that is hard or spicy for at least 3 to 4 weeks to avoid slowing down the healing process

Talk to a Reputable Oral Surgeon

If you are needing to get dental restoration to replace missing teeth, be sure you speak with an experienced oral surgeon. A good oral surgeon can provide not just an evaluation of your current jawbone condition, but come up with an appropriate treatment plan, and perform the necessary surgery. Union City Oral Surgery has over 25 years of experience in the dental industry and can perform your ridge augmentation. Contact us at (201) 601-9262 to schedule an appointment.